Visit & Tasting at Salentein + Lunch at La Azul

Salentein gives you two good reasons to leave Mendoza for the Uco Valley: serious wine in a striking winery and a long lunch at the smaller, family-style La Azul. You’ll tour the vineyards and production areas, then taste four Salentein wines before sitting down to Argentine food paired with wine.

I like the private round-trip transport and the generous seven-hour pace. One especially praised driver explained the area and the wineries along the way, which helps during the long 1.5-hour ride each way. The main caution is reliability: La Azul has not always been available, and one replacement restaurant came with an added charge. Confirm the lunch venue before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Four wines at Salentein: The tasting includes one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.
• Two very different winery stops: Salentein is a major, polished wine estate, while La Azul offers a smaller and more personal lunch setting.
• Private hotel transport: Pickup and return are included within the covered Mendoza area, with new, modern vehicles.
• A long but well-shaped day: Allow seven hours, including three hours on the road and two and a half hours for lunch.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: The meal is fully paired, so this is more than a quick tasting with a snack.
• Check the second stop: La Azul has been replaced on some departures, so verify the exact lunch location and any extra charges before setting out.

Salentein makes the long ride worthwhile

This is a full wine day, not a quick tasting tacked onto a city tour. Mendoza sits some distance from the Uco Valley wineries, and the drive to Salentein takes about 1.5 hours. That is a substantial chunk of the day, but private transport makes it much easier than arranging a rental car, finding the wineries, and deciding who will drive after several tastings.

The Uco Valley is one of Mendoza Province’s best-known wine areas, and Salentein is presented as one of its major names. Your visit combines a vineyard and winery tour with a guided tasting, so you get both the place and the wine in the glass. That combination matters. A tasting alone can feel detached from the work behind it, while a tour without enough wine can feel like a museum visit.

Salentein also gives the day a polished opening. The winery is known for its architecture, and the setting provides broad views across the Uco Valley. Bring a camera, but do not let the photo stops replace the practical part of the visit: listen for how the grapes move from vineyard to cellar and how the winery organizes its production.

The 1.5-hour transfer from Mendoza

Pickup is provided at your place of stay within the covered Mendoza area. The vehicle is described as new and modern, and the transfer is private rather than shared. That gives you more control over the day and avoids the stop-and-start routine that can come with collecting several groups.

The road time deserves honest attention. You will spend roughly three hours in total on transfers, so this outing is best for anyone who wants a dedicated Uco Valley wine day rather than a tightly packed Mendoza schedule. If you have only one free day in the region, the trip uses most of it.

A good driver can make the ride far more useful. One particularly well-regarded driver explained local history and shared details about the wineries on the route. The experience does not name individual drivers in advance, so you cannot request that person, but the guide service is offered in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Use the journey to settle into the day. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and carry sunscreen and a hat. The tour runs in all weather, so a light layer or rain protection is sensible. The information provided does not specify the vehicle’s luggage space, so keep your day bag modest.

Inside Salentein: wine, architecture, and a four-glass tasting

The Salentein visit lasts about 1.5 hours. It includes the winery and vineyards, with a guide explaining the winemaking process and the background of the estate. The tour is not simply a tasting-room stop. You are there to see how the setting, buildings, vineyards, and production work fit together.

The tasting includes four wines:

• One Salentein Reserve
• Two Salentein Númina wines
• One sparkling wine

That lineup gives you a useful spread across the winery’s range. The sparkling wine changes the rhythm of the tasting, while the Reserve and Númina wines let you compare different expressions within Salentein’s portfolio. You should expect a guided tasting rather than four unstructured pours, though the exact order and commentary are not specified.

The visit can feel rushed for some people. One person specifically found the Salentein tasting too quick, so wine enthusiasts who like slow discussion should keep expectations in check. The scheduled 1.5 hours covers the tour and tasting together, which leaves less time for lingering than a day built around one winery.

Still, the stop has strong visual appeal. Salentein is often singled out for its architecture, and the views across the Uco Valley add a sense of place that a city tasting cannot provide. If you enjoy taking photos, this is the point where the camera earns its place in your bag.

You must be at least 18 to drink alcohol. Because the tasting is followed by a full wine-paired lunch, this is not a good choice if you want to avoid alcohol or keep the day alcohol-free.

Five minutes later, lunch at La Azul changes the mood

After Salentein, the transfer to La Azul takes only about five minutes. That short hop is convenient and keeps the second half of the day focused on food rather than more time in the vehicle.

La Azul offers a different kind of winery setting. Salentein is the larger, more polished stop, while La Azul is described as smaller and family-style. That contrast is one of the best features of the day. You see a major Argentine wine producer, then sit down for a more intimate meal in the same broad wine region.

Lunch lasts about 2.5 hours, so you are not being pushed through a short tourist meal. The full paired lunch is designed as a central part of the experience, with Argentine cuisine matched to wines. One useful detail is that the lunch setting may give you a choice among wine ranges, depending on what is being served. That can be valuable if you want to taste beyond the basic pour, though the supplied details do not promise a particular menu or upgrade option.

Expect the meal to take up a large part of the afternoon. That is a plus if you enjoy long lunches and a drawback if you prefer visiting several wineries in one day. This tour chooses depth at two stops instead of collecting tasting-room stamps.

The biggest practical issue concerns La Azul itself. The venue has not always been available, and at least one departure was changed to another winery. A replacement can still be enjoyable, but it is not the same experience, especially when La Azul is part of the reason you booked. In one case, the replacement involved a different menu and an additional charge of US$70 per person. Confirm the restaurant and price before departure, and get any change in writing.

What $244 buys you

At $244 per person, this is not a budget winery outing. The price needs to be judged against what is included: private round-trip transport, a winery and vineyard tour, four guided wines at Salentein, a full paired lunch, and insurance.

The private vehicle is the biggest convenience. A taxi or rental car may appear cheaper at first, but driving after several tastings is not a sensible plan. A private transfer also saves you from negotiating separate rides between Mendoza, Salentein, and the lunch stop.

The lunch adds real value if you enjoy a long, wine-focused meal. You are not paying only for four tasting pours. You are paying for a full day with a substantial food course, two contrasting winery settings, and transport that handles the logistics.

The price becomes harder to justify if La Azul is replaced without clear notice, especially if an extra fee appears. The experience provider is Futuro Travels, and the overall rating is 4.1 from 12 ratings, with several excellent scores but also serious complaints about cancellations and substitutions. That mixed record does not make the tour a bad choice, but it does make confirmation important.

Ask these questions before you go: Is La Azul confirmed? Is the advertised lunch included as described? Will a substitution cost more? What is the pickup time? A quick written confirmation can prevent an expensive surprise.

The day’s main strengths and weak spots

The strongest part is the combination of excellent transport and a complete day plan. You do not have to choose between tasting and driving, and you do not need to arrange a second ride from Salentein to lunch. The route is simple and the private format should feel calmer than a large group excursion.

The driver can also make a difference. One highly praised driver did more than steer, explaining local history and winery details along the road. Since the drive is long, that kind of commentary adds useful context.

The two winery styles work well together. Salentein gives you architecture, broad valley views, and a more established wine operation. La Azul gives you a smaller setting and a leisurely meal. The contrast makes the day feel varied without adding complicated travel.

The weak spots are clear. The Salentein tasting may be rushed for serious wine students. The 1.5-hour transfer in each direction limits your time in Mendoza. Most important, the lunch venue must be verified because substitutions have occurred.

There is also conflicting information about mobility. The activity information describes wheelchair accessibility, but it also says the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you use a wheelchair, have back problems, or need specific access arrangements, contact Futuro Travels before paying and ask for a direct answer about the vehicle, winery route, and lunch facilities.

Who will enjoy this wine day most

I would recommend this for someone who wants a comfortable, all-in-one introduction to the Uco Valley. It suits couples, small private groups, and food-focused visitors who prefer one long lunch over several short tastings.

It is also a strong choice if you do not want to rent a car. The private pickup, modern vehicle, and return to Mendoza remove the day’s main practical headache. The multilingual guide option helps if you are not comfortable touring in Spanish.

You may want another option if your priority is a slow, technical wine education. The Salentein portion is only about 1.5 hours, and the tasting may feel brisk. You may also want another plan if you need a guaranteed specific restaurant and cannot accept a substitution.

This is not a good fit for pregnant people, people with back problems, or anyone under the legal drinking age of 18. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Since the tour operates in all weather, you should be comfortable spending a full day outdoors and on the road.

Booking advice for a smoother day

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mendoza schedule is still moving, but they do not solve the risk of a last-minute venue change.

Before the cancellation window closes, confirm the lunch location in writing. If La Azul is unavailable, ask for the replacement name, menu, and total cost per person. Do not assume an alternative has the same price or style.

Wear shoes that can handle walking around a winery and vineyards. Take a hat, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable clothing. The weather policy means you should not dress only for a sunny forecast.

The tour includes insurance, but personal expenses are not covered. Bring money for anything outside the listed meal, tastings, and transport. The exact starting time varies, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book Salentein and La Azul?

Book it if you want a polished Uco Valley day with private transport, four Salentein wines, and a proper paired lunch. The strongest version of this outing gives you a fine contrast between a major winery and a smaller family-style stop, with a driver who adds local context along the way.

Book only after confirming La Azul. That single check matters more here than it would on many winery tours. If the restaurant is guaranteed and the $244 price fits your budget, the package offers good convenience and a generous lunch-centered schedule.

Skip it if you want a slower tasting, several wineries, or absolute certainty about the lunch venue without follow-up. The experience has real strengths, but its value depends heavily on receiving the two-stop itinerary as described.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including pickup, winery visits, lunch, and the return journey to Mendoza.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from your place of stay within the covered area of Mendoza.

How long is the drive to Salentein?

The transfer from Mendoza to Salentein takes about 1.5 hours.

How long is the Salentein visit?

The guided winery visit and wine tasting take about 1.5 hours.

Which wines are included at Salentein?

The guided tasting includes one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.

How long is the transfer from Salentein to La Azul?

The transfer between the two wineries takes about five minutes.

How long does lunch last?

Lunch is scheduled for about 2.5 hours and includes a full wine pairing.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private round-trip transportation in a new, modern vehicle is included, along with pickup and return to Mendoza.

What languages are available?

The tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. The booking also allows you to reserve now and pay later.